Alberta Ballet Community is a division of Alberta Ballet. Celebrated for performances that move and inspire, the artistry of the professional company reaches even further—training young dancers and expanding access to dance across the province. Alberta Ballet Community connects people to the joy and expression that dance makes possible.
Formalized as its own division in 2024, Alberta Ballet Community extends the company’s reach beyond the stage. Through recreational programs and community partnerships, we open doors for Albertans of all ages and backgrounds to discover creativity, confidence, and connection through dance.
Professional-quality ballet instruction for all ages. Alberta Ballet Classes are a key part of Alberta Ballet Community. These classes welcome participants from preschool to adult, offering exceptional instruction with live music accompaniment and the artistic integrity that defines Alberta Ballet.
Students attend classes each week to deepen their skills, artistry, and understanding of the discipline. These programs, offered out of our Calgary and Edmonton studios, nurture focus, creativity, and confidence — giving students the skills to grow, perform, and find joy in movement.
Students also benefit from ties to the professional company—with ticket discounts, behind-the-scenes opportunities, and, for younger dancers, the chance to perform in beloved productions like The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel.
For many families, Alberta Ballet Classes are both an introduction to the art form and a pathway to a lifelong appreciation of dance.
Removing barriers and connecting Albertans through dance. Beyond the studio, Alberta Ballet Community delivers programs that make dance accessible and meaningful for more people across the province.
Each program is developed with community partners and evaluated to ensure impact. We’re committed to building sustainable funding that allows these initiatives to thrive.
Bringing the joy of dance to communities across Alberta.
In the 2025–26 season, Alberta Ballet Community will welcome 1,000 newcomers, 1,000 caregivers, and 600 youth to Alberta Ballet performances through our ticket programs. We will also engage another 1,000 youth (ages 7-17) in eight Alberta communities through free dance programming—many experiencing ballet for the first time.
Each class, performance, and partnership reflects a shared belief: arts participation strengthens individuals, enhances well-being, and builds community. Whether in a theatre, studio, or school gymnasium, dance becomes a shared language of creativity and connection.
Inspiring, connecting, and serving Albertans through dance.
Alberta Ballet Community embodies the organization’s broader mission—to ensure that the excellence seen on stage reaches beyond the spotlight.
As one of Alberta Ballet’s three core divisions, we are building a more connected, inclusive, and inspired province—one dance at a time.
Get to know the team that supports the Alberta Ballet Community.
Julie Morgan-Thompson has been a dedicated member of the Alberta Ballet artistic faculty for over 25 years. Originally from Red Deer, Alberta, she discovered her passion for dance at a young age and pursued formal training in Toronto. She graduated with Honours from the Theatre Dance Program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), earning a place on the Dean’s List with a focus on dance pedagogy.
Ms. Thompson holds a teaching certificate with Distinction and a teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance, with specializations in Dance History and Anatomy. After returning to Alberta, she continued to deepen her teaching practice, earning both the Associate Certificate with Distinction and the Associate Diploma from the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
Throughout her career, Ms. Thompson has successfully prepared countless students for ballet examinations from Primary through Advanced levels. She has also mentored aspiring teachers through the Royal Academy of Dance, guiding them toward their own teaching qualifications. In addition, she is certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) method and remains committed to ongoing professional development.
Passionate about nurturing growth and excellence, Ms. Thompson takes great joy in watching her students learn, achieve, and in some cases, move on to professional dance careers. She looks forward to welcoming and inspiring a new generation of dancers this upcoming season.
Julie Morgan-Thompson has been a dedicated member of the Alberta Ballet artistic faculty for over 25 years. Originally from Red Deer, Alberta, she discovered her passion for dance at a young age and pursued formal training in Toronto. She graduated with Honours from the Theatre Dance Program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), earning a place on the Dean’s List with a focus on dance pedagogy.
Ms. Thompson holds a teaching certificate with Distinction and a teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance, with specializations in Dance History and Anatomy. After returning to Alberta, she continued to deepen her teaching practice, earning both the Associate Certificate with Distinction and the Associate Diploma from the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
Throughout her career, Ms. Thompson has successfully prepared countless students for ballet examinations from Primary through Advanced levels. She has also mentored aspiring teachers through the Royal Academy of Dance, guiding them toward their own teaching qualifications. In addition, she is certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) method and remains committed to ongoing professional development.
Passionate about nurturing growth and excellence, Ms. Thompson takes great joy in watching her students learn, achieve, and in some cases, move on to professional dance careers. She looks forward to welcoming and inspiring a new generation of dancers this upcoming season.
Julie Morgan-Thompson has been a dedicated member of the Alberta Ballet artistic faculty for over 25 years. Originally from Red Deer, Alberta, she discovered her passion for dance at a young age and pursued formal training in Toronto. She graduated with Honours from the Theatre Dance Program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), earning a place on the Dean’s List with a focus on dance pedagogy.
Ms. Thompson holds a teaching certificate with Distinction and a teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance, with specializations in Dance History and Anatomy. After returning to Alberta, she continued to deepen her teaching practice, earning both the Associate Certificate with Distinction and the Associate Diploma from the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
Throughout her career, Ms. Thompson has successfully prepared countless students for ballet examinations from Primary through Advanced levels. She has also mentored aspiring teachers through the Royal Academy of Dance, guiding them toward their own teaching qualifications. In addition, she is certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) method and remains committed to ongoing professional development.
Passionate about nurturing growth and excellence, Ms. Thompson takes great joy in watching her students learn, achieve, and in some cases, move on to professional dance careers. She looks forward to welcoming and inspiring a new generation of dancers this upcoming season.
Kaitlyn Seibold is a movement researcher, choreographer, and educator based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), AB. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Toronto Metropolitan University and an MFA in Choreography and Collaboration from York University, where she received the Lipson Family Endowment Award for choreographic promise. Kaitlyn has taught contemporary dance at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and in studios and intensives across Canada. With over a decade of teaching experience, she is dedicated to fostering both technical development and creative exploration in her students.
Her teaching draws from extensive training in Graham, Limón, Horton, Flying Low, and Gaga techniques, as well as a strong foundation in ballet through both RAD training and post-secondary study. She is currently entering her third year of teaching with Alberta Ballet, working across both the Professional Division and the Alberta Ballet School Classes Division.
As a performer and creator, Kaitlyn has worked with renowned choreographers across Canada and Europe and continues to perform with Project InTandem and Ballet Bodies YYC. Her most recent performance was Exile by Meghann Michalsky, presented in 2025 at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. With over 30 original works to her name, Kaitlyn’s choreographic practice explores the intersections of physicalized theatre and contemporary movement, encouraging dancers to embody the emotional and physical complexity of performance.
Kaitlyn Seibold is a movement researcher, choreographer, and educator based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), AB. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Toronto Metropolitan University and an MFA in Choreography and Collaboration from York University, where she received the Lipson Family Endowment Award for choreographic promise. Kaitlyn has taught contemporary dance at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and in studios and intensives across Canada. With over a decade of teaching experience, she is dedicated to fostering both technical development and creative exploration in her students.
Her teaching draws from extensive training in Graham, Limón, Horton, Flying Low, and Gaga techniques, as well as a strong foundation in ballet through both RAD training and post-secondary study. She is currently entering her third year of teaching with Alberta Ballet, working across both the Professional Division and the Alberta Ballet School Classes Division.
As a performer and creator, Kaitlyn has worked with renowned choreographers across Canada and Europe and continues to perform with Project InTandem and Ballet Bodies YYC. Her most recent performance was Exile by Meghann Michalsky, presented in 2025 at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. With over 30 original works to her name, Kaitlyn’s choreographic practice explores the intersections of physicalized theatre and contemporary movement, encouraging dancers to embody the emotional and physical complexity of performance.
Kaitlyn Seibold is a movement researcher, choreographer, and educator based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), AB. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Toronto Metropolitan University and an MFA in Choreography and Collaboration from York University, where she received the Lipson Family Endowment Award for choreographic promise. Kaitlyn has taught contemporary dance at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and in studios and intensives across Canada. With over a decade of teaching experience, she is dedicated to fostering both technical development and creative exploration in her students.
Her teaching draws from extensive training in Graham, Limón, Horton, Flying Low, and Gaga techniques, as well as a strong foundation in ballet through both RAD training and post-secondary study. She is currently entering her third year of teaching with Alberta Ballet, working across both the Professional Division and the Alberta Ballet School Classes Division.
As a performer and creator, Kaitlyn has worked with renowned choreographers across Canada and Europe and continues to perform with Project InTandem and Ballet Bodies YYC. Her most recent performance was Exile by Meghann Michalsky, presented in 2025 at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. With over 30 original works to her name, Kaitlyn’s choreographic practice explores the intersections of physicalized theatre and contemporary movement, encouraging dancers to embody the emotional and physical complexity of performance.
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Maria Crothers is a highly experienced dance educator with nearly three decades of teaching and leadership in ballet and related disciplines. A Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) for over 20 years, she has successfully prepared and entered hundreds of students for R.A.D. examinations with consistently strong results.
Trained at the Edmonton School of Ballet and the University of Alberta, Maria’s background spans R.A.D. and Cecchetti methods as well as Pointe, Repertoire, Pas de Deux, and a wide range of other dance forms. She has served as Ballet Director for six studios across southern Alberta and is a licensed Silver Swans teacher, offering specialized adult ballet programs.
Maria is also an R.A.D. Mentor, choreographer, and advocate for safe dance practice, drawing on her background in Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy. She currently teaches with Alberta Ballet Programs, where she continues to inspire and mentor dancers and teachers alike."
Maria Crothers is a highly experienced dance educator with nearly three decades of teaching and leadership in ballet and related disciplines. A Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) for over 20 years, she has successfully prepared and entered hundreds of students for R.A.D. examinations with consistently strong results.
Trained at the Edmonton School of Ballet and the University of Alberta, Maria’s background spans R.A.D. and Cecchetti methods as well as Pointe, Repertoire, Pas de Deux, and a wide range of other dance forms. She has served as Ballet Director for six studios across southern Alberta and is a licensed Silver Swans teacher, offering specialized adult ballet programs.
Maria is also an R.A.D. Mentor, choreographer, and advocate for safe dance practice, drawing on her background in Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy. She currently teaches with Alberta Ballet Programs, where she continues to inspire and mentor dancers and teachers alike."
Maria Crothers is a highly experienced dance educator with nearly three decades of teaching and leadership in ballet and related disciplines. A Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) for over 20 years, she has successfully prepared and entered hundreds of students for R.A.D. examinations with consistently strong results.
Trained at the Edmonton School of Ballet and the University of Alberta, Maria’s background spans R.A.D. and Cecchetti methods as well as Pointe, Repertoire, Pas de Deux, and a wide range of other dance forms. She has served as Ballet Director for six studios across southern Alberta and is a licensed Silver Swans teacher, offering specialized adult ballet programs.
Maria is also an R.A.D. Mentor, choreographer, and advocate for safe dance practice, drawing on her background in Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy. She currently teaches with Alberta Ballet Programs, where she continues to inspire and mentor dancers and teachers alike."
This is the first year as a teacher for Ms. Rossi but certainly not the first at Alberta Ballet Classes. Maria joined the Alberta Ballet Community at a young age, honing her skills and technique in ballet and later the many other wonderful options offered at Alberta Ballet Classes such as jazz, modern, and contemporary. Since she joined Alberta Ballet Classes she has become an active and caring part of the community. She has had an extensive amount of experience working with dancers of all ages as an assistant teacher in various classes and during summer programs, training under different skilled dance educators to become a teacher herself. Ms. Rossi aims to provide a warm and safe environment to all dancers, giving the best conditions for dancers to thrive and feel comfortable.
This is the first year as a teacher for Ms. Rossi but certainly not the first at Alberta Ballet Classes. Maria joined the Alberta Ballet Community at a young age, honing her skills and technique in ballet and later the many other wonderful options offered at Alberta Ballet Classes such as jazz, modern, and contemporary. Since she joined Alberta Ballet Classes she has become an active and caring part of the community. She has had an extensive amount of experience working with dancers of all ages as an assistant teacher in various classes and during summer programs, training under different skilled dance educators to become a teacher herself. Ms. Rossi aims to provide a warm and safe environment to all dancers, giving the best conditions for dancers to thrive and feel comfortable.
This is the first year as a teacher for Ms. Rossi but certainly not the first at Alberta Ballet Classes. Maria joined the Alberta Ballet Community at a young age, honing her skills and technique in ballet and later the many other wonderful options offered at Alberta Ballet Classes such as jazz, modern, and contemporary. Since she joined Alberta Ballet Classes she has become an active and caring part of the community. She has had an extensive amount of experience working with dancers of all ages as an assistant teacher in various classes and during summer programs, training under different skilled dance educators to become a teacher herself. Ms. Rossi aims to provide a warm and safe environment to all dancers, giving the best conditions for dancers to thrive and feel comfortable.
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Olivia is a dedicated and expressive ballet teacher whose approach blends strong technical foundation with a deep love for the art of movement. She recieved her pre-professional training at the Alberta Ballet School under the guidance of Julie Coleman and Maria Crothers. She went on to successfully complete her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Advanced 2 Vocational Exam. Her passion for ballet and teaching lead to completing the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and is now a Registered Teacher with the RAD. Olivia continually nurtures her growth by attending intensives, workshops and festivals both locally and internationaly, including those at Joffrey Ballet School and Martha Graham School. She is also a dedicated contemporary and modern dance artist and teacher leading her to pursue the Rambert Level 1 Contemporary Dance Certification. As a company artist with Corps Bara Dance Theatre and En Corps Dance Collective, she brings both artistry and experience into every class, inspiring dancers to connect mind, body, and soul through movement.
Olivia is a dedicated and expressive ballet teacher whose approach blends strong technical foundation with a deep love for the art of movement. She recieved her pre-professional training at the Alberta Ballet School under the guidance of Julie Coleman and Maria Crothers. She went on to successfully complete her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Advanced 2 Vocational Exam. Her passion for ballet and teaching lead to completing the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and is now a Registered Teacher with the RAD. Olivia continually nurtures her growth by attending intensives, workshops and festivals both locally and internationaly, including those at Joffrey Ballet School and Martha Graham School. She is also a dedicated contemporary and modern dance artist and teacher leading her to pursue the Rambert Level 1 Contemporary Dance Certification. As a company artist with Corps Bara Dance Theatre and En Corps Dance Collective, she brings both artistry and experience into every class, inspiring dancers to connect mind, body, and soul through movement.
Olivia is a dedicated and expressive ballet teacher whose approach blends strong technical foundation with a deep love for the art of movement. She recieved her pre-professional training at the Alberta Ballet School under the guidance of Julie Coleman and Maria Crothers. She went on to successfully complete her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Advanced 2 Vocational Exam. Her passion for ballet and teaching lead to completing the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and is now a Registered Teacher with the RAD. Olivia continually nurtures her growth by attending intensives, workshops and festivals both locally and internationaly, including those at Joffrey Ballet School and Martha Graham School. She is also a dedicated contemporary and modern dance artist and teacher leading her to pursue the Rambert Level 1 Contemporary Dance Certification. As a company artist with Corps Bara Dance Theatre and En Corps Dance Collective, she brings both artistry and experience into every class, inspiring dancers to connect mind, body, and soul through movement.
Paul Chambers is the instructor for our new classes in Calgary. Paul danced professionally for 14 years, including seven years with Alberta Ballet performing soloist and principal roles. Now retired from the stage and when he is not teaching, you can find Paul working behind the scenes as the Executive Director for the Alberta Ballet Foundation. |
Paul Chambers is the instructor for our new classes in Calgary. Paul danced professionally for 14 years, including seven years with Alberta Ballet performing soloist and principal roles. Now retired from the stage and when he is not teaching, you can find Paul working behind the scenes as the Executive Director for the Alberta Ballet Foundation. |
Paul Chambers is the instructor for our new classes in Calgary. Paul danced professionally for 14 years, including seven years with Alberta Ballet performing soloist and principal roles. Now retired from the stage and when he is not teaching, you can find Paul working behind the scenes as the Executive Director for the Alberta Ballet Foundation. |
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon